The Advisory Committee was established by UN-ESCWA resolution 175 (XV) of 18 May 1989 to strengthen the role and performance of the Commission. It consists of heads of diplomatic missions in the host country of the Commission, as well as a high level representative of the host country. The Advisory Committee plays a consultative role and functions as a major means of communication between member States and the UN-ESCWA Secretariat and among member States themselves on important matters requiring attention during the period between the biennial sessions of the Commission.